Method and device for sealing a tap hole in metallurgical containers

Abstract

In a method for sealing a tap opening in a metallurgical container a plug with a plug sleeve and a refractory flowable material is provided having a metal rod or pipe surrounded by a protective pipe connected thereto. The plug sleeve and the protective pipe are made of a material resistant to a molten mass of metal in the metallurgical container only for a short period of time. The material is a temporarily heat-insulating material which cokes within the molten mass of metal and is cardboard or wood. The time of introduction of the plug sleeve is controlled based on measured parameters of the molten mass. The plug is introduced into the tap opening by guiding the plug with the metal rod or pipe through the molten mass in the metallurgical container. The plug sleeve changes by temperature action of the molten mass of metal such that the flowable material is distributed in the tap opening and seals the tap opening. The tap opening is then closed from the exterior of the metallurgical container and the plug sleeve in the tap opening as well as the protective pipe are coked and destroyed.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for sealing a tap opening in a metallurgical container, the method comprising the steps of: 
       providing a plug, comprised of a plug sleeve and a refractory flowable material;  
       providing a metal rod or a metal pipe surrounded by a protective pipe, respectively, wherein the plug sleeve and the protective pipe are made of a material resistant with respect to a molten mass of metal in the metallurgical container only for a short period of time, wherein the material is a temporarily heat-insulating material which cokes within the molten mass of metal and is selected from the group consisting of cardboard or wood;  
       controlling the time of introduction of the plug sleeve based on measured parameters of the molten mass;  
       introducing the plug into the tap opening by guiding the plug with the metal rod or the metal pipe through the molten mass in the metallurgical container, wherein the plug sleeve changes by temperature action of the molten mass of metal such that the flowable material is distributed in the tap opening and seals the tap opening; and  
       closing off the tap opening from the exterior of the metallurgical container and coking and destroying the plug sleeve in the tap opening as well as the protective pipe.  
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of controlling is carried out semi-automatically. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of controlling is carried out manually. 
     
     
       4. A tapping system for sealing a tap opening of a metallurgical container according to the method of  claim 1 , the tapping system comprising: 
       a plug, comprised of a plug sleeve, matching the tap opening of the metallurgical container, and a refractory flowable material contained in the plug sleeve for sealing the tap opening;  
       the plug further comprising a metal rod or a metal pipe surrounded by a protective pipe, respectively;  
       wherein the plug sleeve and the protective pipe are made of a material resistant with respect to a molten mass of metal in the metallurgical container only for a short period of time, wherein the material is a temporarily heat-insulating material which cokes within the molten mass of metal and is selected from the group consisting of cardboard or wood;  
       wherein the plug is guided into the tap opening through the molten mass in the metallurgical container by the metal rod or the metal pipe; and  
       wherein the plug sleeve changes by temperature action of the molten mass of metal such that the flowable material is distributed in the tap opening and seals the tap opening.  
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the flowable material in the form of filler sand forms at the contact surface with the molten mass of metal a sinter layer ( 16 ) sealing the tap opening after decomposition of the sleeve. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the step of controlling the weight of the already tapped molten mass is determined and the plug is introduced when a set weight is reached. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the step of controlling a slag detection system is provided and the plug is introduced when the presence of slag is detected by the slag detection system. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the step of controlling the bath level of the molten mass is sensed in the melting apparatus and the plug is introduced when a set bath level is reached. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of controlling is carried out automatically. 
     
     
       10. The tapping system according to  claim 4 , comprising automatically controllable means ( 9 ,  10 ) for introducing the plug sleeve ( 7 ) into the tap opening. 
     
     
       11. The tapping system according to  claim 4 , wherein the metal rod or the metal pipe is comprised of members connected to an arc-shaped guide configured to move the metal rod or the metal pipe out of the horizontal position into the vertical position. 
     
     
       12. The tapping system according to  claim 11 , wherein the metal rod or the metal pipe act via support means onto the refractory flowable material. 
     
     
       13. The tapping system according to  claim 4 , wherein in addition to the plug sleeve ( 7 ) as a first chamber ( 123 ,  223 ) for receiving the refractory flowable material, the protective pipe has a hollow space ( 113 ,  213 ) used as a second chamber ( 124 ,  224 ) for receiving the refractory flowable material. 
     
     
       14. The tapping system according to  claim 13 , wherein the protective pipe ( 113 ) is arranged at the plug sleeve ( 7 ) and the metal rod ( 109 ), penetrating the first and second chambers, is movable axially to the protective pipe. 
     
     
       15. The tapping system according to  claim 13 , wherein the protective pipe ( 213 ) penetrates the plug sleeve ( 7 ) and the metal pipe ( 226 ) receives additional refractory flowable material and is axially moveable relative to the protective pipe ( 213 ). 
     
     
       16. The tapping system according to  claim 13 , wherein a plug ( 113 ,  212 ) detachably closes off a bottom side of the first chamber ( 123 ,  223 ) and is moveable by pressure loading through the metal rod ( 109 ) or the metal pipe ( 226 ) for opening the first and second chambers and for allowing the refractory flowable material to flow out. 
     
     
       17. The tapping system according to  claim 13 , wherein the refractory flowable material is filler sand which contains a binding agent which decomposes at the temperatures of the molten mass of metal and wherein the filler sand within the protective pipe is surrounded by an intermediate protective layer and is vacuum-sealed.